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Floyd Mayweather: ‘I’m here to say All Lives Matter’

Floyd Mayweather Jr. addressed the racial tension in America. (AP)

Retired boxer Floyd Mayweather has always professed to be a proud American first above everything else. And with the growing number of black people dying at the hands of police, the undefeated former champion decided to give his two cents on the present state of affairs in at a recent Mayweather Promotions event.

Initially, the conversation started off about boxing and why boxers aren’t drawing the numbers like they used to. But Mayweather took it upon himself to address what is going on between blacks and the police.

“I’m here to say all lives matter,” Mayweather said. “You know, a lot of times, we get stuck, and we are followers. When you hear one person say, ‘black lives matter,’ or ‘blue lives matter,’ all lives matter.”

Mayweather refuses to place the blame on the police, despite a number of officer-involved incidents this year.

“It’s not right what is going on in this world on both sides,” Mayweather said. “What I learned from boxing and what everyone can take in real life is to follow directions, follow order. Don’t give nobody a hard time.”

These comments may pique the curiosity of many for myriad reasons. For one, the recent deaths of Philando Castile and Terence Crutcher found both men doing nothing wrong before they were shot on camera. Neither appeared to give the police a hard time, as Mayweather may have been alluding to.

Also, Mayweather isn’t known to discuss politics or social issues on a public forum, especially in regards to race relations in America. As a matter of fact, he often completely steers clear of these talking points whenever they are brought up. But, for whatever reason, the man who topped Forbes highest paid athletes list in 2015 decided to address the racial tension in America. The five-division world champion suggested that it is important to for everyone to “communicate better.”

“There are rules and regulations with everything,” Mayweather said.

When asked about the National Anthem protests started by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, Mayweather seemed to suggest that perhaps he isn’t such a big fan of his method of protest.

“Kaepernick needs to try and get the starting job,” Mayweather said. “Stand up, and get the starting job. That’s what he needs to focus on.”

But, as always, Mayweather sees the financial value in what Kaepernick has done rather than how it affects the community.

“I can’t knock him,” he continued. “If that’s what he believes in and the people stand behind him, so be it. He’s got the number one selling jersey, so it’s obvious he’s doing something right.”